Come inside with [hoo-gah] and win a Scandi throw

I’m calling it: summer’s over. The Olympics are over (see you in four years, diving) and all my summer dresses are being banished to the back of my wardrobe. Hello drizzle, hello wool and hello pumpkins.

I’m super excited to bring to you some hygge homeware inspiration from Jack Watson, the owner of new Scandi homeware store [hoo-gah] (certainly a good way to help people pronounce it correctly). Jack has also very kindly offered one lucky Hello Hygge reader the opportunity to win a wool throw by Cozy Living from the store, so read to the end of this post to find out more!

“The first time I heard of hygge was on a BBC 4 radio show last year. The Danish guests were trying to translate this concept to the hosts, and I remember realising how bizarre it was that we didn’t have a word in English for this thing – which actually we’re all so familiar with,” said Jack. “If the word ‘cute’ was suddenly erased from the English dictionary and you were then asked to describe a kitten, you’d be lost for words – literally! Hygge fills that same gap, except you’re talking about a personal sense of contentedness, satisfaction, appreciation, comfort and more.”

I, too, love these untranslatable words. Despite the richness of English, there are still concepts we can’t express without many words instead of just one. Is this because they’re not culturally significant concepts or just because we haven’t found a word which feels right yet? I’d argue it’s the former. Anyway, I digress.

“Hygge isn’t something you can bottle or buy exactly, but I loved the idea of a store whose end goal was to help people create environments in their home that evoke hygge, through the products it sells. I also have a background in architecture and design, so I’ve always been interested in the way peoples surroundings influence their wellbeing. So I spent a lot of time putting together a collection of some of the most hygge homewares I could find from Scandi design houses, with the mission of bringing a little more hygge into UK homes.”

I totally get this – I can often find bits and pieces of particularly hygge-inspired homeware here and there, but [hoo-gah] brings with it a curated collection of the cosiest Scandi textiles and home decor. “There are a few themes in Scandinavian design which I think really resonate with people,” Jack said, “such as design for purpose and longevity, quality materials, playful details and a connection to the natural world. When you put these things together you end up with objects that people really appreciate and even feel sentimental towards.” I think this sentimentality is important when it comes to hygge-inspired homewares – we want things that make us feel things – namely, hygge.

I’ve spent a bit of time exploring the small but perfectly formed collection, and you can tell why every item has been chosen. “My favourite thing in the [hoo-gah] store has to be the hurricane lamp from Cozy Living. There’s something super hyggeligt about candle light anyway, but the superb choice of materials in this range and the fact that these are quite large lanterns really make them stand out – they’re quite stunning.” I completely get why Jack is a fan of this lamp – the flecked glass almost makes it seem as though the candle is caught in the centre of a permanent rainstorm. And there’s good news too – there are smaller, cheaper tea light versions coming to [hoo-gah] soon, which would make ideal gifts.

The hunger for hygge in 2016 is evident – there are at least five books on the topic coming out in the next month or so, and the interest is only going to ramp up with the changing of the seasons. So what does Jack expect we’re going to be seeing in the way of hygge homeware trends this autumn? “Hygge definitely comes into it’s own in the colder months, especially in Scandinavian countries where the thermometers really plunge and they only get a few of hours of sunlight every day. Homes become sanctuaries, and protection from the elements, warmth and cosiness play a bigger role in life. I think we can expect to see more chunky knits hitting the shelves, and some earthy autumnal hues making their way into the A/W catalogues.” Autumn is the best season for bringing inspiration from nature into the home – I tend to gravitate towards objects the colour of fallen leaves, stormy skies and vibrant seasonal produce, so I’d be delighted to see more of this hitting the shops in the coming weeks.

And finally, I just had to ask… what is Jack’s idea of the perfect hygge experience? “Getting in from a sunny winter walk. Slipper socks on. Cup of tea (one sugar). Wrapped up on the sofa in a quilt with my partner. Raining outside. Log fire lit. Film about to start. Maybe throw in some popcorn… where was I?” Ugh, yes please. All of that, every day for the next six months, and I’ll be a very happy girl.

It’s competition time!

If all this talk of cosy homeware has got you in the mood for hygge, you’re in luck! Jack is very kindly giving one lucky reader the chance to win their very own Scandi merino wool throw in flint and ivory from the [hoo-gah] collection. Worth £119.99, this throw is perfect for keeping you cosy all through autumn with its top-quality Nordic design. For your chance to win, just click the button below and follow the instructions. You have until 11.59pm on 21st September 2016 to enter – perfect timing for when the weather turns cooler. Best of luck!

I adore the brass candle holder in jade and it would suit my colours in my living room perfectly and not sure of size but if possible at xmas I would put baubles in for effect. Also love the boiled wool throw.

I am new to the whole idea of Hygge. However, I think it is what has been missing in my life and certainly what I have been craving. I love the intentional aspects and great care put into the details represented by all things hygge. I also love the way it embodies the ideal of filling your cup and finding solace and sanctuary in your surroundings and with those you love and cherish without guilt or hurry. Of the things presented in this post… I too am a fan of the hurricane candles. They remind me of a cozy stormy day. 🙂

I would love the boiled wool throw in Pistachio/Ivory. It is the perfect shade of green to go in my kitchen, so that I can throw it around my shoulders whilst sitting on my comfy chair watching, through the open bi-folds, the dog rootle around under the bird feeders. He doesn’t notice the cold, but I do, and it’s best to wrap up in style!

What lovely hygge blog, I’m looking forward to more cosy-inspiring posts to get us through the colder months. Love the Hygge store too – that’s a bad thing to introduce me to! Their flint and ivory throw is divine, I’m just in the process of painting our sitting room in gorgeous shades of grey, the throw would compliment it all beautifully.

I have fallen in love with the embroidered feathers cushion featured in the basket with the blanket… such a stunning pairing of texture and tone!! I’ll have to get some of those fabulous frosted candle vases too. Perfect for a winter’s night!!

I really love the cableknit throw, especially in the sky blue colourway. I would drape it artfully over the arm of my sofa, so that it puddles half over the chocolate brown leather cube to the side of it, and then in the evenings when it gets chilly, i would pop it over my knees and snuggle up under its comforting warmth.

I would use the Rusty Votive as inspiration. Cool colours with turquoise,gold and copper highlights with lots of soft and sensual textures in the soft furnishings. Easy to change the scheme when you get bored with it or you want to warm it up for Winter.

Wow! I struggled to find a favourite piece, but if I had to choose I would go with the stitch quilt night as it would suit the decoration in my living room and I would like to snuggle under it on a winters evening watch a good programme on television.

I just love the Boiled Wool Throw in Pistachio/Ivory. In winter, I put a log basket in the sitting room which holds rolled up throws and blankets of various thicknesses and textures so you can just grab the one that takes your fancy.

Even though its mentioned in your post I would opt for the Black Luster Hurricane Lamp. I live in the country in a barn conversion and as late autumn/winter arrives am very happy to sit in front of my wood burner watching the sunsets and the flames in my woodburner Until it becomes cold enough to do that I would place the Luster Hurricane Lamp in front of the wood burner so I can get my flickering flame ‘fix’ lol.

I am in love with the chunky herrigbone throw. I have just bought my first ever home and we hope to move by November, so I am hoping bit by bit we will be able to style it in the same way houses in Amsterdam are. I went there on holiday earlier this year and I fell head over heels in love with their simplistic geometric based style 🙂

The chucky herringbone in earth looks so warm and comfy. Our house is freezing in winter so I would have it on the back of the sofa within easy reach to grab it and snuggle on a chilly winter evening 🙂

The Tiled Quilt – Cloud would fit perfectly into my conservatory/family room/chilling room. nothing is precious as I want to relax with familiar and comfortable things around me plus I have a huge family and my Grandchildren are growing at an adorable rate and they love to play in this room. The Quilt would double as a blanket for me in the evenings and a den for the kiddiwinks during the day.

I love changing my summer cushions for cosy autumnal shades and layering the sofa with cosy textures.A vase of autumn colour from the garden and a spicy candle is all I need to curl up with a good book or box set and a seasonal tipple!

I love the Luster Hurricane Mini – Moss (in fact the whole range). They are stunning pieces and I imagine create quite a moody atmosphere. I think I’d put it on my mantelpiece with some autumnal pine cones for that Autumn look.

Wow! The boiled wool flint and ivory throw would just enhance my newly decorated guest bedroom all ready for the visit of our favourite 92 year old aunt. Still doing all her own chores, needing to take only one prescription tablet a day and never leaves home without her well applied and appropriate make up. She’s such a treasure and an inspiration to all of us!

Ooh so many goregous things! I really love the Luster hurricane lamp in moss, it has a real old fashioned look to it which I love. My bedroom is full of old fashioned furniture and it would suit the room perfectly 😊

I love the ’50/50 Cushion – Heather’ I think a few of them scattered on my brown leather sofa would look great and full of the autumn colours of my light wooden floor, dark brown sofa and heather coloured cushions.

I adore the Mini Luster Hurricane Lamp in Moss. It would look stunning on the console table in my hallway, which is painted a very subtle shade of green and filled with my collection of antique glassware.1